Korean J Anesthesiol.  1976 Dec;9(2):153-158.

Bilateral Tension Pneumothorax during Induction of Anesthesia

• Park CJ
• Chon SU

Abstract

Inhalation anesthesia oy endotracheal intubation is commonly used in current anesthetic tech nique. But the increased use of endotracheal tubes in inhalation anesthesia expose the patients to the consequence of increased pressure in the tracheobronchial tree sometimes to a great extent than is true of a patient in whom intubation is not done. In addition, disposable plastic units has been introduced to obviate hazards of cross infection in anesthesia and inhalation therapy and which do not stretch after full inflation. Pressure exceeding 250 cm water may develop within seconds when the plastic units are inadvertently overfilled with gases. Such high pressures transmitted to the airways are harmful. Immediate, prompt and adequate management of the bilateral tension pneumothorax are essential, otherwise the patient becomes rapidly fatal. A case of bilateral tension pneumothorax, which occurred due to a excessive pressure to the airway by use of disposable plastic units was reported.

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia*
Anesthesia, Inhalation
Cross Infection
Gases
Humans
Inflation, Economic
Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal
Plastics
Pneumothorax*
Respiratory Therapy
Trees
Water
Gases
Plastics
Water